Let The Kids Play

Many parents put their kids into sports programs at young ages, believing that it will help with the child’s body development and keep them healthy. But some parents are pushing back against this idea, claiming that forcing a child to play sports can create long-term resentment. But, according to students here on campus, that doesn’t seem to be the case at all.
Sports can help developing children learn to work as part of a team, a valuable skill as they get older. Sports can also help give children a sense of belonging and help them stay active, rather than just staying inside playing video games and eating junk food.
In addition, starting sports at an early age can give you an advantage when it comes to playing high school sports. If, for example, a sixteen-year-old student wanted to try out for the baseball team, they’d be playing against athletes that have been playing the sport since they were five. It would be hard to compete.
“Starting sports at a young age is very important,” says sophomore student Yasmin Saucedo. “It can help with keeping your body good and healthy, and it can keep you and your blood pressure going.”
Yasmin’s parents didn’t force her to play sports, but she wishes that they would have, as it would have helped her become more confident.
“I wish I could’ve been put into sports when I was younger,” she says. “I didn’t join because I didn’t want to be judged.”
Those fears didn’t stop fellow sophomore Miami Haling from joining sports when she was younger.
“Being in sports when I was younger always gave me something to do when I was bored,” she says. “I also built up some good friendships and also gave me better communication skills since I always had to talk with my teammates.”
Playing sports at a young age can help children develop their communication abilities and build friendships.
But it wasn’t always easy, of course.
“Playing sports at a young age was pretty great, but not having time wasn’t,” says sophomore student Miami Haling. “Being forced to it wasn’t that fun. I was worried about missing schoolwork.”
Despite feeling forced and stressed, Miami still admits that, “I loved playing sports when I was younger.”
What about you? Did you play sports when you were younger? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.

